New data show 97% opioid abstinence rates among long-term patients as statewide overdose deaths begin to decline.
HELENA, Mont., Sept. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Ideal Option, a national leader in outpatient medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for addiction to opioids, stimulants and other substances, has released its 2025 Annual Outcomes Report for Montana patients. The report aggregates data from over 1,400 Montana patients in 2025, detailing geographic and demographic profiles, treatment stages, medication adherence, and substance use trends based on lab specimens.
The report arrives as Montana's drug crisis enters an increasingly volatile phase. According to the Montana Department of Justice, fentanyl seizures by statewide task forces fell 70% from 2025 to 2024, the steepest decline in recent years. Yet fentanyl-linked fatal overdoses rose 34% over the same period, from 55 deaths in 2024 to 74 in 2025, according to the State Crime Lab. In addition, 78% percent of last year's fatal overdoses involved fentanyl mixed with another illegal drug, up from 60% the year before. Harm-reduction workers and researchers point to a drug supply that has grown more dangerous, not less, as sedatives like xylazine and medetomidine increasingly appear alongside fentanyl and resist reversal with naloxone.
Key findings in the Ideal Option report highlight the success of office-based MAT, with 97% of patients in long-term recovery achieving sustained abstinence from opioids and stimulants. For Montana patients progressing from treatment initiation to maintenance in 2025, the report shows:
- 99% reduction in fentanyl use
- 82% reduction in methamphetamine use
"Montana's drug supply has become more dangerous even as raw seizure numbers have fallen, and that's exactly why office-based treatment matters right now," said Tim Kilgallon, CEO of Ideal Option. "This report shows that when patients have consistent access to evidence-based, medication-assisted treatment, recovery is not only possible — it is measurable and sustained, even against a drug supply that keeps changing."
Since 2019, Ideal Option has partnered with correctional facilities to provide care to justice-involved individuals with substance use disorder. In 2025, the organization received 34 direct referrals from two correctional facilities in Montana, supporting continuity of care for individuals upon release.
View the full Ideal Option 2025 Annual Patient Outcomes Report for Montana here: www.idealoption.com/patient-outcomes.
Ideal Option has helped more than 100,000 patients through a network of over 80 outpatient clinics across 9 states: Alaska, Arkansas, Idaho, Maryland, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon and Washington.
With no waitlists and most forms of insurance accepted, including Medicare and Medicaid, patients can typically get started on treatment for fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine, alcohol or other substances within 1-3 business days.
Patients can make an appointment by calling 1.877.522.1275 or visiting www.idealoption.com.
About Ideal Option
Headquartered in Renton, Washington, Ideal Option was founded in 2012 and has since helped more than 100,000 patients through a network of 80+ office-based medication-assisted treatment (MAT) clinics across 9 states. Ideal Option has received The Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval®, demonstrating compliance with its exacting performance standards for safety and quality of patient care. With a mission to serve underserved communities, Ideal Option accepts all forms of insurance including Medicaid and Medicare. Financial assistance and payment plans are also available.
Ideal Option's team of medical providers carry certifications in Addiction and Emergency Medicine, Internal, and Family Medicine, among other specialties. The company also employs social workers, case workers, counselors and mental health practitioners. This holistic approach helps drive positive outcomes, including family stability, stable housing, improved overall health and reduced rates of recidivism.
In all the communities it serves, Ideal Option collaborates with existing stakeholders and providers to improve the continuum of care. This approach includes partnerships with emergency rooms and county jail systems, where individuals with substance use disorder often appear, as well as collaborating with numerous support agencies and municipal programs addressing social needs such as housing, mental health and nutrition support.
Media Contact
Olivia Roe, Ideal Option, 1 5095055191, [email protected], www.idealoption.com
SOURCE Ideal Option
Share this article